Hegde will not attend next drafting panel meet

BANGALORE: Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde on Saturday said the fight against corruption will continue. “Whatever the controversies, we, the committee members are committed to bringing out the Jan Lokpal Bill,” Hegde told reporters after inaugurating the golden jubilee state level conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).“I will not quit the drafting committee but will not be present in the next meeting on June 20 owing to prior engagements,” he said.Hegde also did not favour Anna Hazare undertaking his planned fast from August 16 if a strong Lokpal Bill was not prepared. He said, “Annaji must continue his fight against corruption.He must not go on any hunger strike immediately. He must go around the country and inform people about the effect of corruption on development.” “If overall development is required, all should fight against corruption” he said.“Though the government has been speaking about zero tolerance towards corruption, why is that they have removed about three sections from the Anti- Corruption Bill which was helpful for the investigating agencies,” he said.